If it’s adventure surf in the sea, rock pools for kids to paddle in, a beach to sunbathe on or the perfect spot to hook a fish, Ballito has it. But the Dolphin Coast is so much more than a seaside holiday town…

Seagull’s View over Ballito Main Beach via Ballito Microlight.

Words: Rae Dengler | Images: Supplied

Adventure Adrenaline Action

Microlight Tours are the most thrilling way to tour Ballito. Launching at the Ballito Airfield, tours follow the transition from rolling sugar cane fields over commercial and residential areas and finally a seagull’s view of the breathtaking coastline.

Contact Ballito Microlight School: 082 659 5550

Surfing: Ballito is home to the Mr Price Pro, attracting an international line-up of top surfers each year in July. Local surfers congregate at popular surfing spots when the swell is up; Surfers Beach (Just north of Williards Beach), Salmon Bay, Tiffany’s (North of Salt Rock Main Beach) or Salt Rock Main Beach itself.

The Secret Spot is a surfer’s dream backpacking camp and offer surfing lessons locally and guided surf tours to some of the best surf spots in the area.

Surf boards are designed, sold and repaired at Groundswell, Ballito. Surf Lessons are also offered.

Contact Groundswell : 083 409 6286

Kite Surfing: When the wind whips up, many go home, but for die hard adrenaline freaks, Kite Surfing is the ideal way to clear the head, raise the heart rate and have jolly good fun in one. Wind direction determines where Kite Surfing will take place. Lessons are given at Umhloti Lagoon (between Ballito and Durban) in a South wind, north of Suncoast Casino in northerly wind.

Contact Surfers: 032 946 0018

SCUBA Diving: If you like what you see on TOP of the water on the Dolphin Coast, you will LOVE what you see beneath. SCUBA diving expeditions or courses can be taken in Umhlanga, 20 minutes south of Ballito.

SCUBA Diving lessons are given at Club Venture, just outside of Ballito: Contact: 032 942 8014

Contact 36 Degrees, Umhlanga Rocks: 082 553 2834

Deep Sea Fishing: Commercial and leisure deep sea fishing boats launch at Tinley Manor Beach. The site is run by the Umhlali Ski Boat Club for those with their own boat, wishing to launch. Fishing Charters can also be arranged for you and your friends.

Contact Dirty Harry Fishing Tours: 082 579 3878

Horse Riding: Always imagined galloping across a deserted beach at sunset? Horse rides along the Zimbali Beach are a popular excursion for the novice or experienced rider alike.

Contact Zimbali Horse Ride: O32 538 1007 Cell 083 510 589

MTB and Trail runs: Mountain Bike Trails are increasingly popular in the area. Arrangements have been made with local sugar cane farmers that riders have more than 100km of terrain to challenge them.

Family Fun

The Dolphin Coast spoils us for choice as to the BEST beach to go to. Salt Rock Main Beach for an exhilarating body surf, Clark Bay for a secluded area of suntanning and exploration in the many tidal pools, Granny’s Pool for a safe rock pool for kiddies to paddle in, Four Pillars for secluded privacy and excellent spear-fishing. But away from the sun and salt, there is much for the family to experience.

Lucky Linton Family Park and Gold Mine

A short drive into the surrounding farmlands of Ballito, Lucky Linton Gold Mine is a fun destination for the entire family. Site of a genuine Gold Mine, visitors can still try their luck panning for gold or spend a day of leisure around the dam: water activities, petting zoo, jungle gyms, slides and swings within a picturesque picnic setting.

Fun Family Destination including caravan park, dam with water activities and genuine Gold Mine to explore.

Burnedale Farm

A mother’s DREAM destination. Open lawns for boisterous boys to play on, secure play area under nanny supervision for the littlest ones, Jungle Gyms and Farm Animals enthrall the under 5’s and art and craft gift stores will give Granny something to do too. The Burnedale Cafe also serves a great coffee and light meal!

Flag Animal Farm

Serves as a rescue and rehabilitation center for the lost and injured of the animal kingdom, but also offers a touch, stroke, feed and interact opportunity with children and their various Farm Animals’

Address: Sheffield Beach Road

Contact: 032) 947 2018

Ndlondlo Reptile Park and Paint Ball Arena

If the creepy, crawlies send a shiver down your spine and a shudder up your legs, you probably don’t know enough about them!

Ndlondlo is geared to educate the youngest to the oldest about these often misunderstood creatures. The Park itself is in Phase one, which already boasts 2 underground snake enclosures containing over 15 different species of indigenous snakes (including the infamous black and green mamba) and a python tank, home to a reticulated python and a pair of anaconda’s.

Address: Asgard Estate, Frazers Station, Ballito

Contact:082 561 4969

Kwa-zulu Natal Sharks Board

From the people who keep us safe in the water…The Natal Sharks Board has monitored and protected beaches along the coastline for the past 40 years. Visitors are offered a comprehensive tour of the facility with an audio-visual presentation into the world of the shark. To learn even more, sit in on a dissection – a coroner-type exploration of a shark found dead in the nets.

Barn Swallows at Mount Moreland

Each year in October, hundreds of thousands of Barn Swallows arrive in South Africa after their long migration from Europe. For the summer, lasting from October to mid-April, these birds flock at Mt Moreland, inland of Umhloti Beach.

The Dusk Dance is a performance to behold, a once in a life-time experience. As the sun sets, the flock congregates in an amazing aerial display of flight; swooping and diving in joyous delight until, as one, the entire flock subsides into the reeds and all is quiet…

Take a picnic, enjoy the display from the Mt Moreland Look-out site.

Contact: 031 568 1557

Rain Farm Game Reserve and Lodge

Set over 300 Ha, Rain Farm Game Lodge has undertaken to bring down the fences on a further 300 Ha to make this a small piece of African Conservancy 10 minutes out from the bustle of Ballito

Giraffe, Zebra, various antelope, Wildebeest and hundred of birds can be spotted on scheduled Game Drives

Contact: 032 815 1050

Open Air Markets

The coastal climate is ideal to host any form of open air activity. Ballito is thrives with market activity throughout the year. Various art, craft or food and wine markets offer a great time out for the whole family. Live Music, rich aromas of freshly prepared food and snacks, unique little gifts and special finds…its a must-have experience when in the area

The Litchi Orchard

Mid Month Saturday at the Litchi Orchard, Foxhill.

Set in the orchard of an authentic Litchi Farm, the Litchi Orchard holds regular Saturday Morning Farmers Markets and a monthly Night Market with live musical bands. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets or sample from an array of deli products

Ballito Pro Street Market

Each July with the Ballito Pro Surfing Competition, Williards Beach.

Each year, in association with the world class surfing event, an open air street market offers a hive of activity and products to the surfing spectators. Live Entertainment includes a skateboard arena with professional acrobatic acts. Various stalls offer a wide range of products.

The Christmas Fair

Each November at Collisheen Estate, Ballito

Held over several days in perfect time to secure special Christmas Gifts, the Christmas Fair is the largest art and craft market in the area. Each stall contributes to the Christmas Fair Fund, raising funds for local charities.

Holiday Accommodation

Looking for a place to unwind? Ballito offers accommodation to suit your budget, from self catering to Ballito hotels and guesthouses . Bed and breakfasts on the beach or luxury accommodation with a sea view. Choose from a wide range of Ballito accommodation options.